AmaroqStarwind
10/15/21 10:39 PM
172.56.15.248
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This is less of an actual implementation of a custom weapon (so no stats yet, though they'd be pretty easy to imagine), and more of an overall concept...
But that's because I need some help figuring out how to balance it. I also need help creating some fluff to justify why it took so long to appear, isn't particularly widespread, and why it has whatever downsides it does.
Here's what I got so far...
POLARIZED LASER
A modified laser intended for underwater use. It does not suffer any of the effects of underwater combat which other laser types deal with, but it is very expensive to produce due to the extensive modifications and specialized components required. Combined with its niche applications, this has led to poor widespread adoption, and thus obscurity. It should also be noted that polarized laser weapons are only a recent development, due in no small part to the highly demanding and abusive conditions that weapons-grade optics tend to be put through on a regular basis.
Advantages:
+ Ignores ALL penalties from underwater combat.
+ Increased accuracy when used in water (receives a –1 to-hit modifier)
Disadvantages:
– Cost and availability are the main ones.
– In-gameplay downsides are TBD.
Era: Post-Invasion.
Rules: Experimental.
Tech-base: Inner Sphere¹
¹Polarized lasers are also available to Clan units, but they must be imported. As such, the weapons will be strictly of Inner Sphere specifications.
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So, thoughts?
Discord: Amaroq the Kitsune#1092
Telegram: @Lycanphoenix
MechEngine (Alpha) -- On Hiatus
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ghostrider
10/16/21 12:52 AM
45.51.181.83
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The laser's issues with range underwater is the fact that it boils the water before it can even hit a target. So the first question is how does polarizing a laser change this fact?
This is similar to the problem of a PPC. The water scatters normal lightning throughout the area, so without a PHD in physics, I am assuming the same is done with the weapon. Now maybe this would make an area of effect weapon out of it.
It is an issue with a laser fired in a rain storm. The droplets should dissipate or lessen the beam after so long, depending on how hard it is raining.
Now once that is solved, then extending the range of a laser under water might be something worth looking into.
This sounds like trying to stop the idea, but the physics might well be asked once it is done.
I do think underwater combat could use something more then torpedoes. for range. Maybe a modified Gyrojet round might world. Granted it is a lot like a torpedo, but the rocket assist would change some aspects of it.
Range is the problem with a few solutions that come to mind.
A type of cable like a TOW rocket fires might carry a PPC style charge into another ship.
A specialize NARC torpedo might help with hitting an enemy water unit as well.
I wouldn't suggest an Art system, as the laser issue comes up again.
Sorry if this dampens your enthusiasm on trying to make this work.
One way around it is just ignore the physics, like a few other things in the game does.
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AmaroqStarwind
10/16/21 02:36 AM
172.56.14.96
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In my eyes? It's less of "ignoring physics", and more of "creative interpretations of physics".
Polarization (Wikipedia)
How I'd probably justify this in the fluff may be something along the lines of "While they are commonly referred to as 'polarized', these are far from the only modification involved. However, the term rolled off the tongue easily for most interested persons, and thus the simplified name just stuck."
Discord: Amaroq the Kitsune#1092
Telegram: @Lycanphoenix
MechEngine (Alpha) -- On Hiatus
The Scientist Caste has determined that time travel is dishonorable. |
ghostrider
10/16/21 12:37 PM
45.51.181.83
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I would suggest that the underwater Laser be an off shoot of the heavy laser. The idea that the more power put out by the heavy laser is able to over come the water issue for a very brief time, allowing it to shoot further. Since it will not exceed the normal range of a surface laser, this does not change it that much, though lowering the actual damage of the laser might be in order. Maybe even make it a normal laser damage due to the power loss for water. Yeah, it would be more likely to have more punch at a closer range, but the variable damage due to range is more complicated then it needs to be, but more accurate.
If used on the surface, then it returns to the heavy laser status, with some penalty, such as maybe being heavier then normal or more heat output, or even both, with this being something that isn't in the water for the heat output.
The fluff might be something like a commercial starting where say the underwater part of a dam is being fitted with explosives, and the narrative is something like, 'Tired of your structures being targeted by hostile forces? The new aqua laser will protect you from such things.' then have one of the lasers fire off into a mech underwater, destroying it outright.
For someone like Davion, the invention of such a laser would be loved, as their defense forces around their underwater HQ's would definitely benefit from this.
Hope this gets the creative thoughts going.
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AmaroqStarwind
10/16/21 06:50 PM
172.56.14.87
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Range underwater is identical to a normal due to extensive modifications that involve dynamically messing with things like the refractive index, the polarization of the light, the focal length of the optics, the exact wavelengths of light produced, etc... All based on data from the mech's various underwater sensors (supplemented by its own specialized optical and ultrasonic sensors) in order to calculate the exact parameters to hit a target with all it's got at any given range (and with an accuracy bonus to boot.)
However, these special systems are quite expensive and fragile, so a Nat 2 will damage them, severely hurting accuracy underwater and removing the range benefit.
Using the weapon on land would also produce more heat (the weapon always produces this extra heat due to the fancy systems, but for gameplay purposes it is ignored when used underwater as the water removes the heat from very quickly), and it would suffer the same accuracy penalty on land as it would when damaged.
(First draft.)
TL-DR: When used on land, the weapon is basically a heavy laser without the damage boost. When used underwater, it's a normal laser with a slight accuracy boost. The prototype version has a chance of breaking on a failed attack roll however, negating all of its special functionality, and thus halving its range underwater and giving it an accuracy penalty (not cumulative with the accuracy penalty on land)
Discord: Amaroq the Kitsune#1092
Telegram: @Lycanphoenix
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